Calendar of Events

Class Action Settlement Ends Illegal Food Stamp Terminations and Appeal Delays in New York State

For Immediate Release

July 1, 2013

Tens of thousands of low-income households across New York State who were improperly cut off or denied Food Stamps will be receiving retroactive food stamp benefits as a result of a federal class action lawsuit filed against the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).

The United States District Court in the Southern District approved the negotiated settlement in Richard C v. Proud (12 CIV 5942), which challenged OTDA’s failure to advise individuals facing SNAP[1] employment sanctions that they had the ability to stop the sanctions from going into effect. Richard C also challenged the state’s failure to adjudicate SNAP fair hearings in a timely manner. The court approved the settlement on June 19, 2013.